Explanatory note

This Order provides for the constitution of four of the statutory Committees of the General Dental Council. Each of the current Committees is reconstituted with new membership, except in the case of the Dental Auxiliaries Committee, when it is not exercising a fitness to practise function (articles 3 to 6). In the case of the other functions of the Dental Auxiliaries Committee, the present membership is to continue for 3 years, but if, for any reason, there is a vacancy, the Council can appoint a replacement—or determine that the Committee itself should appoint the replacement (article 4(4)).

Article 2 also provides that, when any of the Committees is exercising a fitness to practise function, persons who would otherwise be members of that Committee must not be serve on it if they have had any prior dealings in respect of the matter in hand.